XAVIER  (ex-AY-vee-er or ZAY-vee-er)

Gender: M
Origin: Basque
Meaning: "bright"

Popularity in 2008: #71

The only X name most people know and use, often as a middle name following Francis, as in Saint Francis Xavier, cofounder of the Jesuit order. Today's parents are beginning to reassess Xavier, now just outside the Top 70, and chosen by Donnie Wahlberg -- as well as the Spanish classic Javier, pronounced HAH-vee-ay.

Variations:
Javier, Xavian, Savion, Xabier, Xzavier, Saviero, Xayver, Xaver, Xavior, Xavaeir, Xaviar, Xayvion, Xavon, Zavier, Xaiver, Xaviell, Xever, Savyon

Xavier is being discussed in our message boards:

• narrowing my list...need help
• Opinions on our list of names
• What are the next names that are doomed to be overpopular
• Elimination- Revisited!!!
• Favorite names for boys? A-Z

Read Nameberry blog posts about Xavier:

• EXOTIC LITE: Boys' Edition
• MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NAMES
• NAMES of the FUTURE
• LATIN BABY NAMES: The Famous and The Fantastic
• THE NEW BOYS' NAMES 3: Ethnic Choices